The bottom line is clear: Our vital interests in Afghanistan are limited and military victory is not the key to achieving them. On the contrary, waging a lengthy counterinsurgency war in Afghanistan may well do more to aid Taliban recruiting than to dismantle the group, help spread conflict further into Pakistan, unify radical groups that might otherwise be quarreling amongst themselves, threaten the long-term health of the U.S. economy, and prevent the U.S. government from turning its full attention to other pressing problems. -- Afghanistan Study Group

Thursday, June 28, 2012

The DoD is reporting a new death previous
unreported by the military. Staff Sgt. Matthew J.
Leach died from unreported causes in Kandahar, Afghanistan on Tuesday, June
26th.

NATO is reporting the deaths of two ISAF soldiers from an IED attack in an
undisclosed location in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, June 27th.

Reported security incidents#1: Pakistani Security forces on Wednesday night killed seven militants when they tried to enter Pakistan territory from Afghanistan. The militants once again attempted to enter the territory of Pakistan for "terrorism" activities but the security forces personnel were alert and responded immediately and foiled their attempt. Several militants were also injured in the operation, according to security sources.

#2: Two persons were killed in a blast that occurred in Zakha Khel area of Khyber
Agency Thursday, FP News Desk reported. Security
sources said the explosion was remote-controlled that killed two volunteers
belonging to Aman Lashkar (peace militia). The volunteers were on their way on a
motorbike when they were ambushed by the blast.#3: Bullet-riddled bodies of Fahimuddin, chief of anti-Taliban force guarding Peshawar against militant attacks, and three of his associates were found dumped on Wednesday after he went missing on Tuesday, police said. Fahimuddin, in his 50s, was heading a 1,500-strong anti-Taliban force in Bazidkhel area on the outskirts of Peshawar. He had escaped several attempts on his life, including suicide and improvised explosive device attacks, from the Taliban since he stood up against militants from Darra Adamkhel and Khyber tribal regions. "Four bodies were found this morning," police official Asif Iqbal told reporters.#3: At least 10 people were killed and over 30 others injured as a blast hit a railway station in Pakistan's southwest city of Sibi on Wednesday night, reported local Urdu TV channel Express. According to the local media reports, the blast took place at about 11:00 p.m. local time when a bomb fixed under a chair on Platform 2 at the Sibi railway station went off, killing and wounding many passengers on the platform.#4: Afghan army uncovered and defused 109 Taliban homemade bombs or Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) within the past seven days cross the war-torn country, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman General Zahir Azimi said Wednesday.

#5: According to local authorities in eastern Logar province, a roadside bomb blast hit International Security Assistance Force convoy in this province. Provincial security chief Sadiq Abdul Rahim confirming the report said the incident took place at Mohammad Agha district. Mr. Sadiq further added a vehicle of the NATO troops was damaged following the incident however coalition forces did not suffer any casualties.#6: According to local authorities in eastern Paktiya province, at least 28 militants were killed following a joint military operation by Afghan and coalition security forces in this province. Deputy provincial governor Abdul Rahman Mangal said the operations were conducted in Samkanai and Aryub Zazai districts on Tuesday night. Mr. Mangal further added at least 20 militants were killed in Aryub Zazai district and 8 others were killed in Samkanai district during the operations. In the meantime a spokesman for the Taliban group Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed the death of 15 Taliban fighters and said Afghan and coalition forces also suffered casualties during the operations.

3
comments:

A wave of attacks in and around the capital city of Baghdad pointed out that the war in that nation is still very much going on, with or without the US occupation forces, and left 22 people killed and over 100 others wounded.

The largest attack came against a Shi’ite neighborhood in western Baghdad, where a taxi exploded, killing eight and wounding 26 others. The remainder of the attacks targeted Shi’ite neighborhoods as well as security forces.